Tignes Resort Overview
Tignes is located in the Tarentaise Valley, in the Savoie region of the French Alps. Sitting at an altitude of 2,100m, Tignes is one of the best ski areas in the world for reliable snow and offers ideal conditions for skiers of all abilities. Tignes consists of five villages; Val Claret at 2,100m, Le Lac at 2,100m, Lavachet at 2,000m, Tignes 1,800m (previously Tignes Les Boises) and Les Brévières at 1,550m. Linked with the neighbouring resort of Val d’Isère, the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area (formerly Espace Killy) offers 300km of terrain to explore, including two glaciers. The Grande Motte glacier in Tignes (3,456m) and the Pissaillas glacier in Val d’Isère (3,300m) allow for excellent skiing almost all year round!
The two main hubs of the resort are Tignes Val Claret and the slightly larger town of Tignes Le Lac, which sit on opposite sides of a frozen lake. A free shuttle bus services all of the villages in Tignes, so you can get around easily when the lifts stop operating. The purpose-built resort offers varying accommodation from traditional wooden chalets to ski-in-ski-out apartment blocks that are suited to all budgets. Thanks to its lively après scene, snow-sure slopes and extensive ski area, Tignes is a popular resort that sees skiers coming back for more year after year!
Skiing in Tignes
The Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area offers 300km of varied terrain and an excellent lift system. There are some incredible runs for intermediate skiers in the Bellevarde and Solaise areas. Tignes also boasts some thrilling off-piste terrain for the more adventurous and experienced skiers as well as some particularly challenging runs including the famous La Face run descending from the top of The Bellevarde down to Val d’Isère. The run has a 1,000m vertical descent with an incline of 71%! Host of the men’s downhill run during the Olympics of 1992, it’s widely known as one of the most iconic black runs in the Alps. From mogul fields to narrow couloirs and snowy bowls, there is much terrain for advanced skiers to explore!
Beginner skiers also have plenty of runs to choose from in Tignes. For wide and rolling pistes, the Tignes Le Lac / L’Aiguille Percée side of the mountain is the place to be. Le Bollin at Val Claret is a conveniently situated green run with easy lift access and the Grattalu is a lovely wide blue for those building their confidence. Tignes and Val d’Isère both have mixed-ability snow parks, so the adrenaline junkies, big or small, can test out their freestyle skills!
Is Tignes Family-friendly?
Tignes is very well-suited to family ski trips. The resort offers several wide, gentle slopes and has an excellent nursery area for beginners. Skiing newbies have plenty of runs to choose from with 56% of the runs in Tignes consisting of greens or blues. In addition to the 150km of local slopes, Val d’Isère is just around the corner, so you have plenty of terrain to explore while your children are in lessons! Tignes Le Lac also offers a variety of family-friendly activities off the slopes. If you fancy a break from skiing, there is an ice rink, swimming pool and a climbing wall to provide some entertainment for the kids!
Après-Ski Scene in Tignes
Tignes has a buzzing après ski scene. There’s a vibrant array of activities to explore after a day on the slopes. The resort offers a diverse selection of restaurants, bars, and clubs, providing plenty of opportunities for evening entertainment. Popular après ski spots in Tignes include; Le Bollin for slope-side drinks and buzzy DJ sets, Grizzly Bar for a cosy and bustling atmosphere, Loop Bar for live music and beer by the jug, Cocorico for table dancing at dusk and Folie Douce for the ultimate piste-side party.
If dining out is your evening activity of choice, popular eateries include; L’Escale Blanche, Restaurant Le Grattalu, La Pignatta and Coeur des Neiges. Make sure to sample some traditional Savoyard food for rich and authentic local flavours! The main streets in Tignes Le Lac (Le Rosset) and Tignes Val Claret (Rue du Val Claret), are both lined with several bars and restaurants, so you can mosey your way down and easily find a venue to suit you each evening!
How to Get to Tignes
The quickest way to get to Tignes from the UK is to fly. The nearest airports to Tignes are Chamberey (2 hours), Lyon (3 hours), Geneva (3 hours) and Grenoble (3 hours). However, transfer times can vary considerably due to traffic and weather conditions. There is no direct rail route to Tignes, however, you will find regular shared bus transfers available. The closest train station is Bourg St Maurice, which is a short 30-40 minute transfer from Tignes.
Tignes Insider Tips
- Have a drink at Restaurant Les Terrasses in Tignes Le Lac and watch skiers tackle the steep Johan Clarey black run back down into the town!
- Head to Le Palet at the bottom of the Grattalu lift for lunch with a daytime DJ and panoramic mountain views.
- If you are planning to ski La Face head there in the morning for the best conditions!
- Ski down to the quaint village of Tignes Les Brevières and enjoy a crepe in the sunny valley at Restaurant La Bouida.
- If you fancy an adrenaline rush test your nerve on the Bun J Ride ski bungee jump next to the Merles lift!
You might also like: The Best Ski Resorts For Beginner Snowboarders in France
